Buffet Tip: Scout First, Then Select

Nothing can derail a diet quite like an all-you-can-eat buffet. But, according to a Cornell University study, overeating isn’t inevitable. Researchers sent 30 trained staffers to observe the eating habits of more than 300 diners at various Chinese buffets in six states. While thin people scouted the buffet before serving themselves, heavy diners dug right in. Thinner participants also used smaller plates than their peers but, despite that, made fewer trips to the buffet. Though the study doesn’t prove these tactics lead to weight loss, the findings are still useful for dieters. So next time you’re at an all-you-can-eat smorgasbord, scope out your options before loading your small plate.Source:American Journal of Preventive Medicine, April 2013